The Pittsburgh Pirates swept by the Marlins after losing 3-2 in the final game of a three-game series at PNC Park. Here are the takeaways and throwaways from the contest.
Takeaways
- Sing us the Vogelsong of your people- Ryan Vogelsong continues to be one of the best pitchers in the rotation since coming of the disabled list. The veteran right hander went six innings and gave up only three runs, one of which was earned. Vogelsong finished with five strikeouts, and two walks on the day. He also scored the loudest ovation after being knocked down on a pitch up and in, then getting a bunt down on the next pitch.
- Josh Bell, the hitter- As a hitter, Josh Bell continues to prove why he should be in the Majors. His opposite field sac-fly in the bottom of the fourth showed the rookie going with the pitch to put in a productive out. Bell laced another to left in the bottom of the sixth, but a perfect throw from Christian Yelich led to him being out at second.
- Bullpen gets the job done- In three innings of work, the bullpen failed to allow a run even with the bases loaded in the ninth. Antonio Bastardo worked the scoreless seventh while Juan Nicasio worked the eighth and into the ninth before Felipe Rivero came on with one out. Rivero induced a fielder’s choice before striking out Martin Prado to end the threat.
Throwaways
- Josh Bell, the fielder- Sunday’s game provided the Pirates and their fans with an extensive look at the promising rookie playing first base. Bell did get an opportunity to play first Saturday night, however, it was only for a few innings. While Bell projects as the first baseman of the future, he is still very raw at the position. His rawness was evident in the two errors he caused being unable to reel in tricky throws.
- Giving up the long ball- With Christian Yelich’s first inning homer, the Marlins hit their fifth homer this series against the Pirates. The five homers, four of which were solo, lead to six of the 12 runs the Marlins scored in the series.
W – Jose Urena (2-4)
L – Ryan Vogelsong (2-3)
S – Fernando Rodney (30)
Line of the Night
Tonight we will focus on the production of the Pirates outfield, especially Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco.
Hitting in the third and fourth spots in the lineup respectively, the duo accounted for all of the Pirates runs and accounted for three of the five hits the Pirates had Sunday afternoon. McCutchen had two hits, both singles, while Polanco added a double to the duo’s hit total.
Player Of The Game
Hop on over to our twitter feed to cast your vote for tonight’s Player Of The Game!
Up Next
The Pirates welcome former NL Central league foe, Houston back to PNC Park for an Interleague match-up. Rookie Jameson Taillon takes the mound for the Pirates while Doug Fister takes the mound for the visiting Astros. Fister brings in a 3.76 ERA to go with his 11-8 record on the season. Taillon sits at 3-2 for the year with a 3.00 ERA in 11 starts with the Pirates.
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